By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA – In his first MLS SuperDraft as the club's General Manager and Chief Soccer Officer, Craig Waibel made two interesting selections while trading away the #9 overall selection. As they have several times this offseason, the Sounders acquired more general allocation money while bringing on a forward and a defender. Unlike last season, Seattle did not keep any local players home in the form of University of Washington or Seattle University players.
Sounders trade out of the #9 overall pick
Seattle originally held the ninth overall selection in this draft, but as was a common theme in the first round, the Sounders traded out of this pick. To give you an idea of how many trades went down, 13 of the total 29 picks in the first round were swapped on draft day. Seattle’s ninth overall pick was the sixth trade of the first round to that point.
Expansion side St. Louis City SC acquired the ninth overall selection from the Sounders, in exchange for $175,000 2023 general allocation money and St. Louis’ third-round pick, which was the 59th overall. With the money Seattle receives in this trade, the Sounders likely sit at about a million dollars in budget space via general allocation money, targeted allocation money and open salary budget space. The Sounders have discussed a need for a backup forward this offseason, and while one of the team's selections was one, I doubt we see him with the first team immediately.
Eythor Bjørgolfsson celebrates a goal at University of Kentucky (Photo by Grace Bradley)
Seattle finds young, big forward with first of two picks
With the 38th overall selection in the SuperDraft, the Sounders selected Norwegian born forward Eythor Bjørgolfsson out of the University of Kentucky. Bjørgolfsson already has some professional soccer level experience, having played in USL League Two with Vermont Green FC. During his senior year at Kentucky, Bjørgolfsson racked up ten goals and two assists, enough to be named as a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy. With Vermont, he tallied six goals and an assist in ten appearances.
Blake Bowen handles the ball (Photo by Derrick Tuskan)
Talented defender selected with second of two picks
With the 59th overall selection, Seattle’s second and last pick in this year's draft, the Sounders took defender Blake Bowen. A 5’8”, 140-lb defender from San Diego State University, Bowen is an interesting case. Listed as a defender when the Sounders selected him, Bowen largely played as a midfielder when in college. Considering the log jam in Seattle’s midfield, the Sounders may be moving him into a fullback role to get the most out of his athletic ability. Appearing in 17 games in his final year while starting 15, all three of Bowen’s goals were game winners. His performance was good enough to earn him All-Pac-12 Second team honors.
Where will we see them next?
Both Bjørgolfsson and Bowen will most likely begin their 2023 campaign with the Tacoma Defiance. Wade Webber will get some new talent to work with after the Defiance had an impressive 2022 campaign, after the Defiance lost a few key members over the offseason. It’s unlikely that either will get any run with the first team outside of a potential bench spot here or there, both positional areas are filled for Seattle. As previously mentioned, the Sounders are looking for a backup striker, but they will sign a veteran for this spot.